How Can this Be? Indiana, Best Business State in America

.... but wait Chicken Little, the sky isn't falling?

For all the talk of Indiana being “hurt” by the RFRA ordeal this spring, and the need for us to repair our image with businesses via pro-homosexual, “non-discrimination” policies, objective analysis says something totally different.

A new study from the Pacific Research Institute took a look at all 50 states through what they call their small business index. The index measures 14 regulatory items that positively or negatively impact small business’ economic viability, growth, performance and start-up.

Indiana ranked number one in the nation as being the best state for small business. In looking at all 50 states there is a startling find that the Pacific Research Institute may not have seen since they are not living under the agenda of Hoosier media.

The top ten states are actually 11 states due to a tie between Mississippi and South Dakota for 7th place. Not one of those top ten best states for small business has a statewide law elevating homosexual behavior to the same level as skin color or national origin. Yet, the Indianapolis Star and liberals pushing Indiana to adopt a so-called “non-discrimination” law claim that such policies are needed to improve Indiana’s economic picture and our image after the RFRA hysteria (which those same advocates created).

That’s not all. The bottom ten worst states for small business have something in common. Every single one of the worst business states have a statewide law elevating homosexuality to a special status, in conflict with religious liberty. Where is the evidence that these sexual orientation / gender identity laws are so economically helpful if they appear in all of the lousy business states and in none of the best business states? Indiana is already at the top, why would we adopt policies of the worst business states?

Again, Where’s the Harm? Indiana Rockets Ahead

A couple of weeks after the Pacific Research Institute’s small business index, Forbes Magazine released their annual “Best States For Business” rankings based upon six economic factors. Once again, contrary to the media narrative, Indiana is doing very well post RFRA. Indiana now ranks as the 8th best business state in the nation according to Forbes. Last year, under the same criteria, we ranked 15th.

Once again, the evidence that Indiana needs to discard religious liberty and free speech in favor of a politically correct pro-gay agenda is invisible. Two-thirds of the states today do not have a statewide special rights law. Likewise, two thirds of the top 10 (and 15) best business states ranked by Forbes do not have a special gay rights law. Again, there’s no evidence that such a law is needed for economic growth or high performance. There’s also no evidence that Indiana is suffering after being unfairly smeared when we attempted to protect religious freedom with a modest law that mirrored a 20-year-old federal statute.

And Yet Another Hoosier Top Ten

For yet more comparisons, The Tax Foundation ranks Indiana as the 8th best state in the nation for business tax climate. Like the Forbes study, seven out of ten of the top business states do not elevate homosexual behavior to the same moral equivalence as skin color or national origin.

Houston, Do You Read Me?

Not even help from the White House could prevent the voters of Houston from repealing that city’s sexual orientation / gender identity ordinance in yesterday’s election. By an overwhelming margin (2 to 1) voters rejected special rights for homosexual and cross-dressing behaviors in favor of religious freedom and common sense gender boundaries. Houston is now the third large city that I know of recently, the others being (Springfield, Mo, and Fayetteville AR,) where, when given the opportunity, voters said “no” to special rights based upon variable sexual behaviors.

Another outcome yesterday should give pause to elected leaders who are not hearing the growing concern over the loss of religious freedom in America. Republican gubernatorial candidate Matt Bevin stunned many political observers with his overwhelming win, becoming only the second Republican Governor in the Commonwealth of Kentucky in four decades.

Here is what you won’t likely read in your newspaper or hear in the mainstream media. Matt Bevin is from Rowan County, the same county as jailed clerk Kim Davis. In a move that would send the GOP establishment in Indiana into a catatonic state, Bevin visited Davis while she was in jail for her religious beliefs. Bevins hugged Davis and told her that he was praying for her.

Matt Staver, of the Liberty Counsel, who represented Mrs. Davis, said the following of Bevin’s big victory last night.

There is no question that the issue of religious freedom and same-sex marriage played a role in the results. The people favor traditional values and marriage, and they are tired of the political elites represented by Governor Beshear who are out of touch with ordinary, God-loving citizens.

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In 1989 Micah Clark graduated from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Micah interned as a member of the Indiana House of Representatives’ Republican staff and later became an Assistant Campaign Manager for a State Senator.

In November 2001, Micah became the Executive Director of the American Family Association of Indiana. His experience has helped AFA expand into an organization with a consistent state house presence while maintaining its role as Indiana’s leading decency organization. Since joining AFA of Indiana Micah has conducted nearly 600 media interviews as its executive director.

Micah’s wife is a marriage and family therapist at a Christian counseling center. They have two children.

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About Me

My name is Monica Boyer. For the past 13 years, I've committed my life to fighting for conservative values in the local, state and national public policy spectrum. My husband Brian and I are raising four children. We live in a small town in the heartland of Indiana with our Great Dane, Sadie.

About Me

My name is Monica Boyer. I'm currently the president of Kosciusko Silent NO More and co-founder of Hoosiers for a Conservative Senate. For the past 13 years, I've committed my life to fighting for conservative values in the local, state and national public policy spectrum. For too long we've been sitting on the sidelines, giving ground to the liberal philosophies that have saturated this nation. My husband Brian and I are raising four children. We live in a small town in the heartland of Indiana with our Great Dane, Sadie.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing ~ Edmund Burke